Why does Gazprom seem to be making ridiculous claims about our safety pod?

Greenpeace International has a long and proud history of peaceful protests in defence of the environment, but right now Russian authorities are holding 30 of our activists on board the Arctic Sunrise for opposing the reckless oil company Gazprom.

It comes after officials from the Russian security service FSB, armed with guns and knives, abruptly stormed the ship using a helicopter and ropes. Once on the ship, they rounded up our activists and ordered them into the mess.

It was a swift and aggressive follow-up to the arrest of two other Greenpeace International activists who climbed Gazprom's dangerous Arctic drilling platform earlier this week. They're now being held with their fellow activists.

The Arctic Sunrise arrived in these icy waters alongside millions of people around the world who oppose Arctic oil drilling. Together, we wanted to protest peacefully against Gazprom's plans to become the first company to pump oil from the icy Arctic ocean.

As part of this protest, Greenpeace International carried a 'safety pod' to the Gazprom platform to shield the activists from things like water cannons.

According to Russian media reports, Gazprom has described the pod as 'resembling a bomb'. The pod measures 3 meters long by 2 meters wide (about the size of a Mini), is painted in bright colours, and was made following a public competition.

Clearly this is ludicrous. The pod is a big foam tube. Non-violence has been enshrined at the core of Greenpeace for more than 40 years. We engage in peaceful protests to expose environmental crimes. We posed no safety threat.

The same, however, cannot be said for the Russian Coast Guard, whose vessel fired 11 warning shots over the Arctic Sunrise on Wednesday as it demanded to board our ship.

So watch this video of the pod and judge for yourself. Check out the online competition we ran to design it. Gazprom's accusation would be funny, if it wasn't so dangerous.

These are desperate acts of intimidation designed by the oil industry to silence our campaign against Arctic drilling. But we will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.

This illegal boarding of our ship the Arctic Sunrise will not prevent us from exposing Gazprom's dangerous drilling to public scrutiny. It will shine a light on the special treatment the oil industry receives in Russia. It will fuel the resolve of the many millions of people who are demanding an end to oil drilling in the Arctic.

Russian claims the pole & most of the Arctic as it contintenal shelf goes that way. & have now seized an EU ship, for peaceful protest. Even w...

Russian claims the pole & most of the Arctic as it contintenal shelf goes that way. & have now seized an EU ship, for peaceful protest. Even western oil-mongers should be shocked by this Russian imperalism. Greenpeace4 is trying to save the climate for everyone, including Russians, internet trolls & Russian internet trolls.

Ya, Baal. We could suggest to some people that they look into just what a 2 degree C average rise in temperature means to our planet, and then of cou...

Ya, Baal. We could suggest to some people that they look into just what a 2 degree C average rise in temperature means to our planet, and then of course what it means to humans.

And it doesn't stop there. Many of those who HAVE studied the issue deeply project a 4 to 6 degree C rise if we carry on just as usual has become these past 70 years or so in "the developed" regions.

But it is easier to blame than it is to really learn and so understand somethings about anthropogenic climate effect (climate change, or global warming). It is simpler and easier to blame than it is to understand that ones self it part of both Earths ecology and Earths geology, so I expect some people will continue to look for targets.

You are ABSOLUTELY right !!!!! A good place to start is the polluting industry in the US and China............ very nice targets !!!
Put a looo...

You are ABSOLUTELY right !!!!! A good place to start is the polluting industry in the US and China............ very nice targets !!!
Put a loooong yellow flag to every chimney in China which is polluting the air we all breathe.
But I think Greenpeace does not dare to touch this area as chinese Gouvernment might react even stronger than the russians do when violating their countries laws..........
But it is worth a try !!!!

And also start looking at Syria when they will start to destroy nerve gasses there........... is this good for climate ????

Astounding the number of ways we individually can screw up, isn't it germapi? And the number of ways we collectively can screw up looks to be the...

Astounding the number of ways we individually can screw up, isn't it germapi? And the number of ways we collectively can screw up looks to be the same. I of course have not counted them.

Do you think the yellow flags would help? Perhaps the many Chinese citizens rising up and speaking out these recent years against environmental degradations and destruction might come out with some ideas. I'd expect them to know their own cultures better than others, after all...

Ya, what is going to be done with those chemical weapons materials, burn them? That may be the quickest and cheapest way to destroy them in the short term, but the longer term may tell a different story...

Look at their german web site......... They put yellow banner on Elbphilharmony with text: If there was oil here........... Shell would be drilling !!...

Look at their german web site......... They put yellow banner on Elbphilharmony with text: If there was oil here........... Shell would be drilling !!!!!

What a stupidity !!!! Drilling in centre of Hamburg................. also in Germany there are rules and laws and I would like to see reaction of Hamburg Gouvernment if Shell is asking for permission to drill..............

To “contributors” such as @germapi @Gene et al...I am interested to hear whether you have anything constructive to add to the discussion, rather than ...

To “contributors” such as @germapi @Gene et al...I am interested to hear whether you have anything constructive to add to the discussion, rather than to simply ridicule and ostracise people for showing genuine concern for something they believe very strongly in? Lets for a minute ignore the debate about legalities and who trespassed where/who broke what laws etc etc. I expect all parties concerned have crossed certain boundaries that they “legally” shouldn’t have, but in the grand scheme of things, who cares. I think we can all agree that whatever the topic, be it the environment, war, economics, political power etc, things get pretty murky once you start mixing it about with governments and multinational corporations, so to claim the aforementioned do things by the book while these “terrorists” Greenpeace go storming in like some group of barbarians, is pushing it a bit. Now, it would be a fairly baseless argument to suggest anything contradictory to the fact that the human population is currently placing the Earth and its limited resources under massive strain, and we are witnessing disastrous consequences as a result. It isn’t really necessary to start splashing facts and figures about or other supporting evidence, all you need is a brain and some use of your eyes and ears. It just so happens that a few folk appear to care a little bit about what’s going on, and are trying with extremely limited power and influence to make a difference in some way, not for any personal gain, but because it’s the right thing to do. They are passionate about trying to reduce the harm being done and keep this planet, our only home, in a reasonable condition for us and the many other life forms we share it with to enjoy for years to come. Personally, I don’t have a huge amount of faith in humanity as a species to take the necessary action required, although I really hope I’m proved wrong. In the mean time, considering how much people care about this subject (thankfully there are some at least), I would like to ask, what do YOU care about? What drives YOU? Or are you actually just another time waster trolling around the internet? I suppose I hold some semblance of hope that you might just have a tiny bit of emotion and feeling buried away in there, and may even respond with a meaningful statement instead of just another clever quip designed to irritate and upset. I suppose if that is your response then at least it does answer the question, and will hopefully mean the rest of us don’t bother wasting any more time responding to.

If you want to know: I am a foreign citizen living in a democratic country with rules and laws. I have been engaged in local politics since middle of ...

If you want to know: I am a foreign citizen living in a democratic country with rules and laws. I have been engaged in local politics since middle of 80's (Foreigners have no right to vote to Parliament......) and have been member of Community "Parliament". Together with my colleguaes/opponents we managed to arrange 2 areas of natur protection and re-naturification of a small river. In legal way without "terroristic" actions. We respect other people's property and do not use any suspect actions to show to people that we have a serious issue. What results Greenpeace has achieved with their actions ??? I am wondering........ for 1-2 days this rediciolous action was in news in several western media, in Russia it was a "footnote"............ Now NOBODY any longer speaks about this action.
Greenpeace's actions and behaviour reminds me of the imperialistic actions of the US. They ALSO know what is best for whole world and create stupid actions like in Irak, Afghanistan, Syria............. and after a period they claim............ Mission accomplished !!!! And what they leave behind ???? More chaos than before !!!
I will follow the further steps of Greenpeace for "Saving the Arctic" very close. I only can give 1 advice: Do not play with russians !!! Boarding a russian oil rigg maybe gives some publicity in western countries and a lot of people (who NEVER have been in Russia) will give a lot of statements.............. but do you think russians care about these statements ??? Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 were boycotted by western nations.......... Next year will be winter OL in Sochi......... I have been there and seen how landscape and nature has changed due to massive building activity............. Where was Greenpeace ??? Maybe they could come with their yellow banners to attend openeing ceremony !!??? Imagine how many people in whole world would see their message about saving the Arctic............ and the reaction of russian security forces..........

From what I can understand greenpeace are protesting to try and protect the arctic. Ice levels are at their thinnest and instead of reacting to protec...

From what I can understand greenpeace are protesting to try and protect the arctic. Ice levels are at their thinnest and instead of reacting to protect the environment for everyone and invest money In trying to find alternate ways of fueling our lives, the money makers are shouting "we can now get to the oil woohoo, let's get rich!" So they've botched a rig together with no safety regulations in place and with a spill disaster plan in place which has holes in it the size of the one in the ozone! Ask yourself, or better still ask the people who live around the Mexico gulf, what will happen if there is a spill? What will happen if oil gets under the layers of ice? What havoc will it cause, please please please don't tell me don't really care because I think you probably will, it will ultimately affect us all. No I don't necessary think the way gp have gone about it is right but come on people listen to their reasons, read up about it learn, and make a tiny change to your life so that our children and grandchildren are able to appreciate our beautiful world. Don't be so narrow minded open you minds a little educate yourselves, please. And those pirates and terrorists as you like to call them our sons, daughters, fathers of someone and who's families are worried sick, so wind your necks in a little 15 years in jail I pray isn't their punishment for trying to protect the beauty of our world.

If you drive to fast on motorway............ you get punished.........
If you violate a nations laws............ you get punished..........

If you drive to fast on motorway............ you get punished.........
If you violate a nations laws............ you get punished..........

They russian rules about imprisonment for piracy and terrorism are NOT specially made for Greenpeace "activists"........... they are made for all.

Greenpeace with their actions will NOT save 1 mm of the Arctic !!!

See what happens in Germany.......... they stop production of electricity with nuclear power !!!! and go back to coal heated powerstations.......!!! What is polluting more ?????

What is alternative ???? 200 m high windmills in backyard of peoples houses??? Or windmill parcs in ocean ??? Like for example in Northern Germany where a large windmill parc now is powered with diesel fuel as there are no cables to transport the produced electricity, but there have to be warning lights etc. on these "monsters"................. Intelligent solution !!!!! Or let us plaster huge areas with solar cells (produced in China.......) they are VERY efficient, especially during night .......

Can somebody explain to me the "logic" of Greenpeace's argumentation ????
In august 2012 6 "activists" had boarded the P...

Can somebody explain to me the "logic" of Greenpeace's argumentation ????
In august 2012 6 "activists" had boarded the Priraslomnaja oil rigg and kept it occupied for 15 hours.......... This according to Greenpeace nearly was some kind of "heroic" act...........

When russian forces are boarding their vessel in order to protect property of their country.............. Greenpeace is crying like a baby who has lost it's pacifier.............

NOBODY has asked Greenpeace to go there and disturb working people on this rigg, but russian soldiers followed the orders given by their superiors.
Both workers and soldiers do their job for supporting their families with wives and children.

If I have had housebreakers in my home 1 time..........they would be surprised if they come again !!! And this is what exactly happened for these "activists" !!!!
So I hope they will take their punishment if they get a judgement after a Court session without all their usual cryings.............

In my opinion it would take a book, germapi, and more than a book, a whole encyclopedia, to explain the "logic" of Greenpeace's argumen...

In my opinion it would take a book, germapi, and more than a book, a whole encyclopedia, to explain the "logic" of Greenpeace's argumentation.

Talking about talking opens how much history to review? I do not think Greenpeace logic can be fully put in print; perhaps any attempt to do so would be significantly flawed.

At the last count I’ve heard Greenpeace’s supporters numbers about 2.5 million. That’s as of several years ago; perhaps it’s a wee bit more than that now. That may seem large, but in some context that number is tiny. But, hopefully, in some answer to your question:

Every one of those voices counts. There is no one argumentation.

We could use my own work to explain further, or use your own as you have accounted in another post:

I actively promote composting, recycling and organic (ecologic) agriculture in a region that is notoriously poor at all three. I have learned to not expect significant results this week, this month, this year or even this decade. Legislation will not keep plastics and toxins out of the compost and in their proper places. People can. Legislation will not make people care about the arts of agriculture. People and their own wants and needs can make people care.

These challenges are ongoing. They are met largely through education, little if at all by legislation or by economics.

In beginning LOT of talking and publicity about this Greenpeace nonsense...........
............ and a...

Pattern as usual...........

In beginning LOT of talking and publicity about this Greenpeace nonsense...........
............ and afterwards NOTHING !!! 30 Greenpeace "activists" today were taken to jail in Murmansk and according to russian law they will face Judge in Court tomorrow. Hopefully russian authorities will tell them about their violations............ and maybe after 15 years even this finnish blue eyed blondie will not be so naive any longer !!! I have been living in "arcitic" Finland (what a stupidity of this woman to talk about HER arcitic country.........what connection Finland actually has to Arctic ?????? But it sounds good in Greenpeace terms........... ) for 5 years. I think as a foreigner I have done more for finnish nature by democratic actions than this blondie ever will do for Arctic Area. (I had job there connected to pulp, paper and wood industry........) But we did not use yellow banners with stupid announcements................

Pattern as usual................lot of bla. bla. ............ and then ??? Russian athourities have taken decision in Court based on the laws of Russ...

Pattern as usual................lot of bla. bla. ............ and then ??? Russian athourities have taken decision in Court based on the laws of Russia.......... 22 of these "activists" will be kept for 2 month in jail, 8 others will get their case re-voted during next 3 days.

And what is reaction from Greenpeace about their own stupid actions ???? Another yellow banner somewhere where they can get some publicity......... !!!??? Acting in your way...........you will change nothing!!!! I was at my doctors place for annual health check........... and asked him about Greenpeace..........educated man !!!??? He said talking with Greenpeace is same like talking with religious fanatics............ What you aspect if brain is not working ???

I with great interest will follow the next steps of Greenpeace in russian Arctic, co-ordinated by a "keen ornithologist"............ watching games of Arsenal........... soon with advertisment from Gazprom ........... I really thought there was little more brain behind these actions !!! And I hope for this finnish blue eyed blondie and her fellowers that Greenpeace will take care of them during next 15 years. Send some parcels..............

I visit Russia many times during a year and also talk about environment with people. But it is on a more realistic level than this Greenpeace nonsens.

For me it is nice to see positive small successes..........instead of this media hornyness..........

Gazprom is showing his real face, and USSR try to be back, since ever no one won with old ideas.

The "30 G", a...

Hi,

Gazprom is showing his real face, and USSR try to be back, since ever no one won with old ideas.

The "30 G", at least, are showing the world the choice between burning the earth or go for a pacific transition.
each hour we support them more,
Every day we love them more,
their freedom is the earth freedom,
With my strongest support and all the familly too, go go Greenpeace !

Again a stupid comment from somebody who never has been visiting Russia................

USSR ?? Do you know what this means ????
...

Again a stupid comment from somebody who never has been visiting Russia................

USSR ?? Do you know what this means ????

What is the real face of Dazprom ??? The fact that former german Chancellor Gerd Schröder is member in Board of Directors ??? Or they support german football club ???

Or how much gas they are delivering to Europe ????

What is the real face ????

Your support just is warm air...............polluting our planet !!!

Let these people face justice according to russian laws they have violated. If they will get freedom they will be GP-heroes............. if they get sentenced to jail they will be forgotten within short time.......for 15 years..............

Yesterday they used a picture on their web sites............ A policecar from Moscow with an "i...

This Greenpeace is just AMAZING !!!!

Yesterday they used a picture on their web sites............ A policecar from Moscow with an "icebear" on backseat. This guy was arrested by Police and Greenpeace puts their stupid logo: Free the arctic 30's....... and we again have a nice and touching story !!!!

Now this picture is removed..........you know why ????

This guy wanted to protest AGAINST Greenpeace with a banner "We need ecologists.........NOT eco-terrorists !!!"

Police re-moved him from this tremendous GP-session to avoid any confrontation with the thousands of GP-activists and supporters.............
That is the real story life from Moscow...............not your GP fairy tales............ :-)